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Learner driver pleads guilty to drug driving while practicing for test

Donal O'Regan, 4 Feb

A YOUNG man who was stopped by gardai while practicing for his driving

test on St Patrick’s Day pleaded guilty at Newcastle West Court to drug

driving and having no insurance.

Sohayb Essefiani, aged 19, of Deer Park, Adare pleaded guilty to the

two offences at Black Abbey Road, Adare on March 17, 2023. Inspector

Barry Manton, prosecuting, said the accused was stopped by gardai

performing a checkpoint.

“The garda formed an opinion that he had consumed an intoxicant. He was

arrested and conveyed to Henry Street garda station. A blood specimen

taken was positive for cannabis. A demand was made for his insurance

details which were not produced,” said Insp Manton, who added that the

defendant has no previous convictions.

Ted McCarthy, solicitor for Mr Essefiani, said his client was driving

in the estate where he lives.

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GardaĂ­ pinpoint time and days that see most reports of stolen cars in

Limerick

“He was practicing for his driving test. He understood he was driving

under his mother’s insurance policy. After he was stopped he discovered

he wasn’t (covered).

Four days later he was added as a named driver. He has passed his

driving test and got his licence,” said Mr McCarthy.

The solicitor then addressed the drug driving count. “He accepts it was

in his system. He was not in the process of smoking cannabis. He has

pleaded guilty and he apologises,” said Mr McCarthy, who asked the

judge not to disqualify his client from driving on the no insurance

count.

Judge Carol Anne Coolican fined Mr Essefiani €150 for driving without

insurance.

The judge used her discretion not to disqualify him on that count.

Judge Coolican fined the defendant €500 and put him off the road for

one year for drug driving.